New Delhi: Low-cost carrier IndiGo has informed the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) that it will not cancel any flights after February 10, when the airline is required to comply with the new Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) rules. The airline said it now has a sufficient number of pilots to maintain operations under the revised regulations, which provide for longer rest periods for crew members.
The DGCA had initially postponed the FDTL implementation for IndiGo on December 6, following a period of widespread flight cancellations and delays caused by a critical shortage of pilots. The airline was given time until February 10 to restore normal operations.
During a meeting with DGCA officials on Monday, IndiGo stated that it currently employs 2,400 captains against a requirement of 2,280 and 2,240 first officers against a requirement of 2,050. Based on these numbers, the airline assured the regulator that its current network would run without cancellations once the FDTL rules take effect.
The DGCA has imposed a total fine of ₹22.2 crore on IndiGo for the disruptions that occurred in early December 2025. Between December 3 and 5, the airline cancelled 2,507 flights and delayed 1,852, inconveniencing over three lakh passengers. The penalty includes a one-time ₹1.8 crore systemic fine and a daily fine of ₹30 lakh for 68 days, totaling ₹20.4 crore.
A four-member DGCA inquiry committee found that the operational disruptions were primarily due to over-optimisation of schedules, inadequate regulatory preparedness, and shortcomings in management structure and operational control. The report noted that planning deficiencies, insufficient operational buffers, and ineffective implementation of FDTL provisions compromised roster integrity and reduced the airline’s operational resilience.
With the pilot strength now meeting requirements, IndiGo has assured the DGCA of stable operations and adherence to the new duty time rules, aiming to prevent a repeat of the disruptions experienced last year.
